Bromus species in winter wheat-population dynamics and competitiveness.

The infestation of Bromus species in small grains, especially in winter cereals has increased over recent years. In some areas winter wheat growers consider Bromus spp. as their worst grass weed. Besides yield reduction, Bromus spp. cause lodging and complication of harvest. In Germany the two most dominant species are Bromus sterilis (L.) and Bromus secalinus (L.). In order to develop control strategies the population dynamics of the weeds were investigated. Based on the results a deterministic mathematical model using differential and algebraic equations was used to estimate changes in the population of the two Bromus species.